Haryana has become the first state to issue about 16 lakh soil health cards to its farmers, chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said on Thursday.

Haryana has become the first state to issue about 16 lakh soil health cards to its farmers, chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said on Thursday.

Besides the soil health cards, about 28 lakh Kisan Credit Cards have also been issued to them through cooperative banks which would be linked to core banking system by March 31.

The chief minister was here to preside over a meeting held to review the recommendations of the Kisan Ayog. He directed the Animal Husbandry and Dairying department to establish a livestock mission to ensure faster growth of the sector. He told concerned officers to submit a blueprint to him in this regard soon.

He said the state has surpassed Punjab in wheat productivity. The state would be honoured with Krishi Karman Award for the second consecutive time.

Hooda said the Information and Broadcasting ministry had assured that farmers in the state will be given tips of agriculture through a dedicated television channel.